Unemployment Insurance FAQs

Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims are processed by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS), and there are two ways to file an unemployment claim:

• ONLINE
  You can file your new (initial) UI claim online at www.jobs.state.nm.us.
  Get connected to online services today! ¡Conéctese a los servicios en línea hoy! - PDF


• 1-877-664-6984 TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE
  You can also file over the phone by calling 1-877-NM-4-MYUI(1-877-664-6984). After following the automated prompts, your call will be transferred to a Customer Service Agent (CSA) who will complete your claim. The UI Operations Center is currently open 7:00am-5:00pm.

Whether you file online or by phone, you will need the following information to file a new claim:

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Mailing address and phone number(s) of employer(s) you worked for in last 18 months
• The starting and ending dates of your last job (or jobs if more than one employer in last 18 months)
• If you are a non-citizen, have your alien registration number and expiration date
• If you worked during the week you are filing your claim, be sure you know the gross amount (total dollars and cents before any deductions) of your pay before filing
• Pencil and paper to write down questions and instructions

The work search waiver has been lifted for all claimants starting the week of Sunday May 9, 2021 through Saturday May 15, 2021. You must be able, available, and actively seeking work each week you certify for Unemployment Insurance benefits with a minimum requirement of verifying at least two work searches occurred. For more information on work search requirements go to  https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Work-Search-Requirement-Information. 

If you need to file a new claim for benefits, you may do so Sunday-Friday, 24 hours a day, online at www.jobs.state.nm.us, or over the phone at 1-877-664-6984 Monday-Friday, 7:00am-5:00pm.

If you have been directed to self-quarantined or are taking care of an immediate family member that is quarantined due to COVID-19, and you have a return to work date, the separation reason you would select on your claim is “Leave of Absence.” If you answer that it is paid leave of absence, you will be found ineligible for benefits because you are still receiving payment from your employer. If you answer that you are not receiving payment you will potentially be eligible to receive benefits.

If you do not have a return to work date, please select Discharged/Lack of Work due to COVID-19.

Certain questions within the questionnaire are dependent on the first answer you provide. If you say “yes” that your employer posted the information in the workplace about your right to file a claim, you should skip the next question. You would only complete the next question if you answered “no” to the question “Did you know you could file for benefits?” Read each question and instructions carefully when filling out questionnaires.

If you need to complete your weekly certification, you may do so any day of the week, 24 hours a day, online at www.jobs.state.nm.us, or over the phone at 1-877-664-6984 Monday-Friday, 7:00am-5:00pm.

You can check what pending issue you have by logging into your unemployment insurance account, selecting the menu option “View and Maintain Account Information” and then select “Issues and Determinations”. Scroll down towards the bottom of your screen and you can see what is pending. Please be advised that the department adjudicates issues in the order they are received.

You may be eligible if the situations described below apply to you:

• Employers may lay off some or all of their workforce as a result of the impact of COVID-19; for example, a restaurant that sees a significant reduction in business due to lack of customers dining out during this time, or an event facility that cancels all events until a later date, or bus drivers who are out of work due to temporary school closures.
• Workers who are self-quarantined or directed to be quarantined, or who have immediate family who is quarantined.
• Workers who have their hours reduced as a result of COVID-19.

Leaving employment because of lack of child care is generally not considered good cause to resign sufficient to qualify an individual for unemployment benefits. If childcare arrangements are impacted, an employee must take reasonable steps to preserve their employment, such as requesting an alternate schedule or a leave of absence. If a leave of absence or a reduction in hours is requested by a claimant when full-time work is available, the department must determine if a claimant is able, available and actively seeking work to be eligible for UI benefits.